Monthly budget spreadsheet
A monthly budget only needs three numbers to start: what comes in, what must go out, and what is left.
What to put in it
- Income: salary plus anything irregular, entered as you receive it.
- Fixed costs: rent, utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments.
- Variable costs: food, transport, leisure. Give each category a limit.
- Savings: pay yourself first by setting the amount before spending.
Savings rate in one line
savings rate = (income - expenses) / income. If you earn 3,000 and spend 2,400, the rate is 20%. Track it monthly, not just once.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting yearly bills (insurance, taxes): divide them by 12 and set that aside.
- Making categories too detailed to keep up.
- Never comparing the plan with what really happened.
A template saves you from rebuilding the formulas every month.
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Examples use made-up numbers.
Excel and Google Sheets template
Personal Finance Planner
Log income and expenses, set a monthly budget per category and track savings goals in one spreadsheet.
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